A wide range of big-box, department, fashion, beauty, and grocery chains are open on Black Friday, but exact hours vary by retailer and specific store location. Many major chains now stay closed on Thanksgiving and then reopen early Friday morning, so shoppers usually see doors opening between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. for the biggest deals.

Quick Scoop

Black Friday has become the main in‑store shopping day of the holiday season, with retailers leaning into doorbusters, “early bird” promos, and one‑day‑only sales. Recent years show a strong pattern: Thanksgiving is mostly for staying home, and Black Friday is when the crowds show up in person for those headline discounts.

Big-Box & Electronics Stores

Most national big-box and electronics chains are open on Black Friday, often with early openings and extended hours.

  • Walmart – Typically open on Black Friday with hours like 6 a.m. to late evening (for example, 6 a.m.–11 p.m. in recent years).
  • Target – Opens early, often around 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
  • Best Buy – Known for 6 a.m. Black Friday openings and major doorbuster tech deals.
  • Costco – Open on Black Friday, often around 10 a.m., sometimes 9 a.m. for certain membership levels.
  • Sam’s Club – Open Friday with morning opening times that can vary by membership tier (for example, earlier for Plus members).
  • Home Depot & Lowe’s – Open on Black Friday, often at or near regular opening times such as 6 a.m.

These retailers also push heavy online promos, so many deals are available both in-store and on their websites.

Department & Fashion Retailers

Department stores and apparel brands widely participate in Black Friday with early openings, coupons, and stacked discounts.

  • Macy’s – Typically open on Black Friday with extended hours such as 6 a.m.–10 p.m. in recent schedules.
  • Kohl’s – Known for 5 a.m. opening times and big percentage-off offers.
  • JCPenney – Also a 5 a.m. opener with coupons and doorbusters.
  • Nordstrom & Nordstrom Rack – Open on Black Friday; hours often follow standard mall or store schedules and can vary.
  • TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods – Off-price chains usually open around 7 a.m. with extended closing times.
  • Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta – Fashion brands open Friday, often early, with hours that vary by mall and location.

Mall-based stores generally follow the mall’s holiday schedule, so early mall openings mean early access to many fashion retailers.

Specialty, Beauty, and Other Retailers

Beyond the big names, many specialty and beauty chains also open for Black Friday with promo-heavy events.

  • Ulta Beauty & Sephora – Open on Black Friday with beauty doorbusters; hours either standard or slightly earlier depending on location.
  • Bath & Body Works – Popular for candle and body-care deals, often opening by 6–7 a.m.
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports – Open early with long hours and sports/outdoor promos.
  • Barnes & Noble – Open on Black Friday, commonly around 8 a.m. with book and gift deals.
  • Office Depot/OfficeMax, Staples – Open Friday, usually around 8–9 a.m., with tech and office discounts.

A notable exception trend is some outdoor retailers like REI, which has famously kept stores closed on Black Friday as part of its “Opt Outside” campaign in recent years.

Thanksgiving vs. Black Friday Trend

Recent holiday seasons show a clear shift: most major chains close on Thanksgiving Day and reopen for Black Friday instead of staying open nonstop.

  • Thanksgiving Day: Many big retailers now remain closed, encouraging shoppers to come back Friday or shop online.
  • Black Friday: Serves as the official kickoff to in‑store holiday shopping, with early openings, packed parking lots, and heavy marketing around “one day only” doorbusters.

For the most accurate information on which stores are open for the upcoming Black Friday in your area, it is essential to check each retailer’s store locator or holiday‑hours page, since exact opening times and participation can differ by city, state, and even individual mall.

Note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.